معرفی
Claudia Gerhards serves as Professor of Communication and Multimedia at the University of Applied Sciences Düsseldorf within the Faculty of Business Studies. Since 2005, she has held this position while also serving as program director for the Bachelor's program in Communication and Multimedia Management. Her academic profile bridges extensive industry experience with scholarly research, having worked for thirteen years as editorial manager, producer, and format developer for television production companies specializing in nonfiction entertainment prior to her academic career.
Her educational background includes studies in German Philology, Theater/Film/Television Studies, and English Philology at the University of Cologne, where she also completed her doctoral studies. Her research focuses on digital media transformation, specifically examining new business models for traditional media companies in digital environments, social media communication strategies for brands (particularly on Snapchat, Instagram, and YouTube), and innovative storytelling formats in digital spaces.
Analyzing her publication history from 2002-2025 reveals consistent scholarly engagement with evolving digital media platforms as they emerge. Her work demonstrates methodological adaptability, moving from television studies to contemporary social media research while maintaining focus on content creation, audience engagement, and commercial applications. The publications show progression from traditional media analysis to cutting-edge investigations of influencer culture, platform nomenclature, and moral dimensions of digital content creation.
- Jury Member of German Radio Prize (2012-2014)
- Jury Member of Adolf-Grimme-Preis (2007)
Professor Gerhards actively supervises bachelor's theses, with students required to contact her six months before thesis registration. Her guidance focuses on communication and multimedia management topics, reflecting her expertise in digital media business models and content strategies. While specific grant information isn't detailed in the provided text, her extensive publication record suggests successful research funding throughout her career. Her industry background provides practical insights that likely inform applied research projects with media organizations.
Her work environment centers around the Communication and Multimedia department, where she develops curriculum for digital media management education. Her research approach combines theoretical frameworks with practical industry insights, particularly valuable given her thirteen years of professional experience in television production before entering academia. Current teaching includes courses on digital storytelling, PR & social media relations, and communication theories, all supported through Microsoft Teams platforms as indicated for the 2025/26 winter semester.
